A Daring Robbery

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 21, 12 June 1914, Page 5

A Daring Robbery

MOTOR-CAR BANDITS IN SVDNKY

NO OLUE TO THE ROBBERS.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, .Tune 11.

The robbers apparently were well aware that yesterday, was pay day at the Eveleigh workshops, and that pay clerks arrived at a certain time. The money was in charge of pay-clerks John Henry and Frederick Miller. Both were armed with revolvers, but the hold-up was so sudden that the clerks were nonplussed. One attempted to draw his revolver, but the robbers threatened to blow his brains out if he resisted. They soon secured the box and the desperadoes drove off at top speed. The missing money consisted of £2150 in £5 notes, £IO3B in gold, and the balance in silvei and copper. The robbery was witnessed by a dozen people, but it all happened too quickly for anyone to grasp the situation, or else none cared to risk their lives in interfering. One onlooker states that he* made a move to follow the car, but the driver drew a revolver and threatened to shoot.

The police so far have no definite clue, though two men were detained for a time last night. No arrests have been made.

A WARNING TO BUSINESS MEN. ACTIVITY AMONG THE " CROOKS." Received 11, 9.15 p.m. Sydney, June 11. The police do not favor the suggestion that the Evelcigh robbery was the work of foreign criminals. It appears that the robbery was planned for a month ago, but the plans failed, and the thieves bid in wait for a favorable opportunity. The chauffeur of the stolen car states that a man accosted him and invited ■him to lave a drink. They entered the bar, and while they were away the car was stolen. The fact of the car being a Moline, of which make there are only three in Sydney, and has peculiarities in its mechanism, shows that the bandits were motor experts. The same car was stolen from the same spot a few weeks ago, and the police think that the thieves then were identical with those concerned in the piesent outrage. When the robbers dei sorted the car in front of a Chinese cabinetmaker's shop in Bulwarra Lane, nobody appears to 'have seen tliem disappear. Robert Geoghan has been arrested irk connection with the robbery, and was brought before a magistrate. The police asked for a remand for identification purposes. Two others have been apprehended on suspicion of aiding and abetting. When the police recovered the car they found in it a revolver loaded with five cartridges, from wnich the bullets had been removed, and with cayenne pepper inserted. The Press comment on the repeated occurrence of sensational crimes and the escape of tho criminals. The natural impression abroad is that the police protection is insufficient. It is understood that provision will be made in the in xt Estimates to permit of raising the strength of the force to meet immediate requirements. In view of t'he Eveleigh robbery, the police have issued a warning to business men handling large sums to guard them carefully. They state that there will soon be renewed activity among the desperate elements of the "crooks." Whenever a big coup is successful, it is invariably followed by a series of crimes in other parts. Two criminals made arrangements last week to hold up a mill pay-clerk on the outskirts of the city, and engaged motorcycles for the purpose, but the police were informed and the plot was frustrated. The "crooks" arc still under surveillance, and four men are watching every train from Sydney for the Kvoloigfh suspects.

Kliiv AND CHAUFFEUR ARRESTED

Received 12, 12.40 a.m. Sydney, June IV

The men apprehended in connection with the Eveleigh robbery are Arthur Tatham, the chauffeur of the stolen car, and Norman Twiss, who was carrying the cash box from the cab when he was held tip by the robber. Both were detained yesterday, question and released, hut were re-arrested to-day.